How to Safely Update LG Drivers

If you're having problems with your LG monitor (or other product) and there seems to be nothing physically wrong with it, you may need to download an LG driver or driver update. This is especially true if you've recently changed your graphics card or operating system, or have bought the monitor secondhand.

What is a driver? It's a small program that enables your monitor (or other hardware) to talk with the other hardware and software on your computer. Every device needs a driver, and sometimes they need to be updated or re-installed. In the case of secondhand hardware, you might not have one if you don't have an installation CD.

Does Your Computer Recognize Your Monitor?

(While we are using LG's monitors for our example, you can use the following processes to diagnose other hardware problems. If you're having problems with another LG product, you can check for problems via the Windows Device Manager instead of using the screen check below.)

If you're having monitor driver problems, your computer probably isn't recognizing or detecting your display screen. This likely means that the screen is not being used to its fullest extent (a problem with LG monitors, which are usually top-quality).

It's easy to see if this is the problem. Right-click anywhere on your desktop screen (as long as you're not pointing to an icon). Then, click "Properties" from the drop-down menu.

Click on the "Settings" tab. Look at the drop-down menu under "Display". If it lists "Default Monitor", click and see if you can locate your LG monitor in the menu. If not, then your operating system (Windows) isn't recognizing it, and you probably need a driver.

How to Get an LG Driver from the LG Website

You can find what you need at the LG website (www.lge.com). Never use a "free software downloads" website. These sites are usually inaccurate and often contain spyware!

Once you are on the LG website, move your mouse over the "Support" link on the left side of the page. This will show a new menu. Click "Product Support" from this menu.

This will take you to the Product Support screen, where you can pick the product you are using (for the purposes of our example, we will choose from "Monitors").

A new window will pop up and ask you for the make or model of your hardware. You can find the make and model via the Device Manager, your product packaging, or on the device itself. Find your product's make or model on the scroll-down menu, and then click on "Go".

Next click on the "Drivers and Software" tab and select your operating system (Windows Vista, Windows 7, Mac OS X, etc.). It will then show you the drivers available for your hardware. If you are unsure which to pick, go for the most recent update.

Click on the link to download your LG driver, as shown in the screenshot below. Save it to your computer.

How to Install Your LG Driver

You can install your LG driver in a few simple steps:

Click Start..

Click on "Control Panel".

Click on "Display".

Click on the "Settings" tab and then click the "Advanced" button. (If the following instructions don't work with your version of Windows, you can also use the instructions under "Does Your Computer Recognize Your Monitor" at the beginning of this page".)

Click the "Monitor" tab, and then click on "Properties".

Click on the "Driver" tab, and then click the "Update Driver" button.

Click next to "Install from a specific location" dialogue, then click "Next".

Click the button next to "Search for the best driver in these locations."